More from Complex

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

27. November 2003

Notable Events: - Cam'ron and Dame Dash appear on The O'Reilly Factor on 11/12/2003 - G-Unit's Beg for Mercy is released on 11/14/2003- Jay-Z's The Black Album is released on 11/14/2003 - Immortal Technique's Revolutionary Vol. 2 is released on 11/18/2003

2003 was, in general, a banner year for hip-hop. Looking back, November, especially, appears as an amalgamation of that time's greatest movements. Jay-Z had established himself as a strong contender for Greatest Rapper of All Time, and right at his peak, pulled the rug out from under us and announced his retirement. This resulted in what was presumed to be his final album, The Black Album—a project regarded as a classic for its content as much as for the momentous atmosphere surrounding its release. On the same day, 2003's best-selling rapper, 50 Cent, released Beg for Mercy with his G-Unit crew. The album had its own hit singles in addition to 50's, and sold nearly as much as The Black Album, a testament to 50's mainstream appeal that year. 2003 also marks a massive year for Cam'ron and his crew, the Diplomats. They'd already made an impact with their debut crew LP earlier in the year, and Juelz Santana was on an impressive solo run as well. But Dipset's greatest contribution to culture in this particular month was Killa Cam and Dame Dash's appearance on The Bill O'Reilly Factor, on notoriously right-wing network FOX News. On the underground tip, Immortal Technique made waves with his landmark release, Revolutionary Vol. 2. During that month, there was truly something for everyone. —Ernest Baker